WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The quest to find the protein in the ear that
converts sound into brain signals has remained a 'holy grail' that scientists
have been looking for. However, after decades of research, scientists at the
Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California, have finally managed to pin
down the elusive protein.

According to the scientists, a protein called TMHS, which is a component of the
so-called mechanotransduction channels in the ear, is responsible for converting
the signals from mechanical sound waves into electrical impulses that run along
nerve fibers to areas in the brain where they are interpreted as sound.

The laboratory studies revealed that when the TMHS protein was missing in mice,
the electrical signals were not sent to their brains and they did not perceive
sound. But by placing functional TMHS into the sensory cells for sound
perception of newborn deaf mice, the scientists were able to restore their
function.

Since, essentially all mammals today share the same form of inner ear, the
breakthrough finding suggests a new gene therapy approach to some forms of
deafness, add the researchers.

Though many of the genes implicated in deafness have been identified, it was not
known how these genes accounted for the various forms of hearing loss. But with
the discovery of the relevance of TMHS, the picture is becoming clearer, say the
researchers.